Is there any need to be scared of anything? God loves you very much. Whenever you are afraid or feeling alone think of God and call Him to help you.

Story

Gajendra Moksha

Long, long ago, before the dawn of civilisation. India was full of thick forests. In one of these forests lived an elephant king, Gajendra

One day, Gajendra went for a walk, accompanied by his herd. It was summer evening and a cool breeze was blowing. Playfully breaking off the green branches of the trees and munching the leaves, they wandered for a long time and covered quite a distance. Then, in the midst of a thick clump of trees, they came across a huge lake of crystal clear water, full of lotuses. The elephant king was drawn towards the lake, which looked so inviting. He entered the lake along with his herd. They filled their trunks with water and sprayed it on one another playfully. When they lifted their trunks and blew out the water, it formed a fountain and touched the sky. Thus they played for many hours.

It was getting late and they had to return home. One by one, they started coming out of the lake. The last one to come out was Gajendra himself. As he was doing so, a crocodile shot up from under the water and caught hold of his foot.

Gajendra jerked his leg. The crocodile was alittle shaken but did not let go. Gajendra tried again and again to pull his leg free, but to no avail. Now a fight ensued. Gajendra pulled the crocodile towards the banks while the crocodile pulled the elephant towards the centre of the lake. Both being equally powerful, neither could win. Each succeeded alternately, but only partially, thus neither of them was free.

The fight continued for many years. Still neither gave up. The poor herd of Gajendra stood helplessly on the banks, hoping that Gajendra would soon become victorious, but in vain. The crocodile was in his own element, gaining strength day by day, while Gajendra, away from his home, got weaker and weaker, until one day he knew he could not fight any more. What was he to do now? His strength was ebbing away and so was his courage. He realized that God alone could be his protector.

He stopped fighting and lifting up his trunk, cried out in despair, “ O Lord of the Universe, who has created us all, protect me from the clutches of this terrible crocodile. Sages say you cannot be seen except with the inner eye. Wise men say that you are the shelter of the shelterless, the wealth of the poor, and the strength of the weak. I have lost all hope and faith in my own strength. Please come and rescue me from this terrible enemy. I have none but you as my refuge.”

The cry from his heart went straight to Lord Vishnu, who was in Vaikuntha playing a game with Lakshmi.While playing, he had tied the end of Lakshmi’s saree to his dhoti. When he heard the cry of Gajendra who was in great distress, He rose in a hurry, forgetting everyone. Like a mother who rushes to the side of her baby when it cries out, Lord-Vishnu ran out to the elephant king. He took His Chakra in hand and sent it flying to cut off the head of crocodile.

The Lord blessed Gajendra, who praised Him in several hymns. Thereafter, the elephant king lived happily with his wives, continuously remembering the Lord and singing His glories.

Song

Say Sairam! Sairam! Sairam!
Say Sairam! Sairam! Sairam!
It’s very easy to say Sairam! Sairam ! Sairam!
Say with Love Sairam!
Say with Love Sairam!
Sairam! Sairam! Sairam!
Sairam! Sairam! Sairam!

Silent Sitting

• Silently chant the name of your favorite God